Premier^® Dental Products Company is donating 236,000 Enamel Pro^® Varnish applications, along with other preventive products, to the Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) 2016 program. Working in concert with Henry Schein Dental and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, this brings Premier’s total donation value to more than $2,000,000, since the program’s inception.

This milestone reflects Premier’s commitment - especially in the important area of preventive dentistry- to support the dental profession in their effort to provide effective treatment for underserved populations. GKAS program was originally launched with the American Dental Association in 2003 with the goal to keep kids smiling through the partnership of organizations and caring volunteers to provide exceptional services to underserved children.

Henry Schein is the official professional products sponsor and, with its supplier partners, has donated more than $13 million in oral health care products used to provide free oral health services for nearly five million children.

Premier Dental Products Company, a fourth generation manufacturer and distributor of dental products for over 100 years, is dedicated to bringing innovative products to help dental professionals deliver better care in preventive, restorative, cosmetic and prosthetic areas of dentistry through a worldwide network of distributors.

Premier^® Dental Products Company

www.premusa.com

New Cosmedent.com features a world class learning center where you can view free technique videos from leading clinicians, watch invaluable webinars, and learn from our comprehensive restorative technique section. Our newly designed site makes it easy to shop Cosmedent’s award-winning product line and learn about the upcoming courses offered at our renowned hands-on educational center, The Center for Esthetic Excellence. Visit the new Cosmedent.com on any mobile, tablet or desktop device or call 800-621-6729 for more information. 

NDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 27, 2016 -- Because of the rising use of lasers in modern day dental practices, AMD LASERS, the global leader in affordable dental lasers and dental laser education, recently announced it is making its dental laser certification program FREE for all dentists, universities and clients. The program was exclusively for only AMD's clients and paid for by all others is now free to all. Offered through a downloadable app on iPads, the app contains the most widely used dental laser certification program in the world. The program is AGD PACE approved and awards participants with 6 CE credits along with their laser certification. Completely interactive with videos and 50-question test, it allows dentists and hygienists along with dental school grad students and faculty to get the basics of soft tissue dental lasers along with important safety information.

Laser usage in dentistry is becoming the standard of care, and AMD LASERS is pleased to provide this important FREE laser certification program to universities to teach dental students the replacement technology that patients are expecting to receive from dental practices. Dental lasers replace archaic outdated modalities such as electrosurge and scalpels. Providing this certification program at no charge to universities will finally allow students to truly learn cutting-edge dentistry in a convenient format.

Alan Miller, Founder and CEO - AMD LASERS, expressed the company's thoughts on this recent decision, "AMD LASERS has always been dedicated to laser education and the certification program through the iPad app we developed five years ago was - and still is - an industry first. The decision to make it free globally to every dentist, University and dental school was an easy one. We are now donating the most used dental laser certification program for free for everyone who wants it, even if they are not an AMD LASERS client. The hard part was figuring out how to make it free while keeping the intuitive, interactive certification program the same. Now that it is complete, dentists will benefit globally but ultimately it is the patients who are the true beneficiaries. AMD LASERS is committed to delivering the most affordable dental lasers on the planet with culture, class, confidence, and world-class training that dentists have come to know us by."

The app can be downloaded on any iPad by searching AMD LASERS and entering the login and password, of course which can be found at AMDLASERS.com.

To learn more, please visit www.amdlasers.com.

About AMD LASERS

AMD LASERS is a global leader at providing laser technology for dental professionals preparing to take their practice to the next level. AMD LASERS products are the most awarded dental lasers. The integration of the Picasso line of soft tissue dental lasers and LiteTouch all-tissue lasers enables every dental practice to provide treatment for hard and soft tissue surgery, periodontal treatment, implant recovery and treatment.  

INDIANAPOLIS -- With support from a three-year $1.2 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research's National Dental Practice-Based Research Network, researchers from the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University School of Dentistry will conduct an analysis of electronic dental records of patients treated by community dentists across the United States to explore the feasibility of using electronic dental records data for clinical research, with the ultimate goal of improving oral health care nationwide.

For the first time, investigators will use data mined from electronic dental records of thousands of individual dental-practice members of the NIH-supported National Dental Practice-Based Research Network to assess treatment outcomes for posterior composite restorations and for root-canal procedures. Both are tooth-conserving measures. The Regenstrief Institute and IU School of Dentistry researchers will also explore the feasibility of combining data from different electronic dental record systems with their varying formats and operating systems, a process that has proved difficult with electronic medical record systems.

"This work is very timely in terms of the future of patient care. Dental research has not been as robust as medical research. With this study of electronic dental records, that gap will narrow," said Regenstrief Institute investigator Thankam Thyvalikakath, associate professor and director of the Dental Informatics Core of the Indiana University School of Dentistry, the principal investigator on the new grant. "We will be closing the circle between data acquisition and data use at the point of care to ultimately improve clinical practice. This will enable dentists to examine both their recordkeeping practices and clinical outcomes."

Among the de-identified data to be collected will be demographics, reason for visit, medical and dental history, social history, tooth characteristics and treatment, as well as practice and practitioner characteristics.

"Better management and analysis of electronic dental record data are essential to improving the oral health of the public in the digital age," Thyvalikakath said. "With this work, we and other researchers will gain a better understanding of what's going on at the dental offices where most Americans receive care. And if in the future, community dentists can query anonymous data on their patients -- as well as the patients of thousands of other providers -- and search, for example, the long-term success of root canals or how long restorations last, they will have information critical to quality improvement, a goal that all patients support."

Thyvalikakath is the founding director of the IU School of Dentistry's Dental Informatics Core. The core's primary objective is to enhance patient care through improving data capture and documentation, designing clinical systems to support clinicians' and patients' needs, and facilitating communication to promote coordinated care among medical providers.

"In the emerging climate of 'big data,' this coordinated data mining will be a huge leap forward in dental informatics, enabling us to have access to clinical outcomes that was not possible before," said John N. Williams, dean of the IU School of Dentistry. "The results could affect how we educate oral health care providers in designing the most effective, evidence-based treatments."

The Regenstrief Institute's Center for Biomedical Informatics is focused on the mission "better health through informatics." The center is a global collaborative research-and-learning organization, developing and evaluating innovative informatics solutions.

"This project is another example of groundbreaking research that uses data from electronic patient records to inform what works and what doesn't in clinical practice. The 'Learning Healthcare System' closes the loop between generating and learning from data on a day-to-day basis. I am happy to see Dr. Thyvalikakath help lead that charge in dentistry," said Regenstrief Institute investigator Titus Schleyer, former director of the Institute's Center for Biomedical Informatics.

Source: Indiana University press release

Luxator LX

Setting a new standard for atraumatic extraction, the new Luxator LX mechanical periotome offers improved safety, precision, and access. The Luxator LX offers a reciprocating tip in a vertical direction for secure cutting of the Sharpey's fibers in a patient friendly way or a self directing tip that allows the periotome tip to follow the root surface, reducing the risk of bone damage. It provides optimal access for difficult to reach areas (molar, lingual/palatinal, distal). It is durable with a titanium coated tip that glides easier into the socket and remains sharp. To view a video, visit https://www.youtube.com/embed/_dro9XGP4Jk. 

SpotIt^®

Identifying contact points on crowns and bridges has never been easy. Before cementation of conventional crowns, bridges, and implant prosthetics, it is necessary to assess the relationship of the crown to the neighboring teeth. Occlusion paper is often used to check the contact point. However, this method shows a too broad and inaccurate contact point with the subsequent risk of excessive adjustment, often resulting in a contact point that is oversized. 

Directa’s new contact finder, SpotIt, is a colored marker available on straight and angled handles. As the marker traverses the contact between the prosthetic element and the adjacent tooth, it leaves a clear and accurate indication of the adjustment needed for a perfect contact point. The whole operation can be performed without assistance, holding the crown with one hand and the marker with the other hand.

Identifying contact points on crowns and bridges has never been easier! Video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/l9jnrslFYas

VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - January 26, 2016) -  LED Medical Diagnostics Inc. (TSX VENTURE: LMD) (OTCQX: LEDIF) (FRANKFURT:LME) ("LED" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the results of a study, titled "Fluorescence Visualization-Guided Surgery for Early-Stage Oral Cancer", have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association - Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

The publication reports the findings of a retrospective, case-control observational study that was conducted on 246 patients from September 1, 2004, to August 31, 2009. The study showed a significant reduction in the rate of local recurrence of early-stage squamous cell carcinoma and high-grade precancerous lesions in patients where VELscope tissue fluorescence visualization was used to assist in determining the surgical margin for excision, compared to those patients where conventional methods were used.

"This is really a revolutionary way for surgeons to visualize a diseased region," stated Dr. Catherine Poh, principal investigator and Provincial Oral Medicine Leader for Oral Oncology at the BC Cancer Agency. "We are now working with head and neck surgeons across Canada to conduct a multi-center trial that will convince the world to change practice and improve the treatment of oral cancer."

 "The results of this important clinical study will be of great interest to oral cancer patients and practitioners alike," commented Dr. David Gane, CEO of LED. "It adds to the growing body of peer reviewed literature that corroborates the use VELscope as an effective adjunct in oral cancer treatment, while further supporting its use in concert with a comprehensive oral examination to screen for the presence of oral cancers and pre cancers."

"Fluorescence Visualization-Guided Surgery for Early Stage Oral Cancer" has been published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association - Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (JAMA Otolaryngology Head Neck Surg. Published online January 14, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2015.3211). For access to the complete study, visit https://goo.gl/Xp4Hao.

CHICAGO, Jan. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Just days after the U.S. government released its new dietary guidelines advising Americans to reduce their sugar intake, new research from The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) shows that sugary drinks are associated with erosive tooth wear among teenagers in Mexico, where sugary beverages are a dietary staple.

"The oral health of children is always top of mind, and we've seen recently that sugar is a leading problem when it comes to their overall health and dental health," said JADA editor Michael Glick, D.M.D. "This study shows an association between high intake of sweet drinks and poor oral health. This issue needs to be taken seriously."

The study authors issued a food questionnaire to teens between the ages 14 to 19 living in Mexico regarding the intake of fruit juice, sports drinks and sweet carbonated drinks, among other food items. The teenagers were then examined for erosive tooth wear. Results of the study showed that the overall prevalence of erosive tooth wear was 31.7 percent, with sweet carbonated drinks – soda – causing the most erosion.

"While this is an ex-U.S. study, the findings are meaningful to everyone who cares about the health and wellness of children," saidYasmi O. Crystal, D.M.D., F.A.A.P.D., professor of pediatric dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry. "These findings support calls from the World Health Organization, Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reduce the intake of added sugars. Limiting the intake of sweetened carbonated beverages can help patients and our health care system as a whole."

Mexico recently implemented a tax on sugary drinks to limit intake, which resulted in sales of sugary beverages falling as much as 12 percent. The "soda tax" concept has been suggested by political officials in some areas of the U.S. and other parts of the world.

Too much sugar intake and other poor dietary habits can result in not only poor oral health but also, according to leading medical organizations, poor overall health, including obesity. Another article in the February issue of JADA suggests the dental office may be the right place for weight screening, in an effort to promote healthy behaviors and improve weight and oral health status.

For more information about these studies please visit JADA.ada.org. To learn about how nutrition affects the health of children's teeth, visit MouthHealthy.org/nutrition.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the U.S. job market improves, U.S. News & World Report today released the 2016 Best Jobs rankings to help job seekers at every level take advantage of new opportunities and make smarter career decisions. Health care related jobs dominate the list of the 100 Best Jobs due to a combination of high salaries, low unemployment rates and better work-life balance. For the first time, orthodontist tops the list while dentist moves to the No. 2 spot. Computer systems analyst is No. 3 followed by nurse anesthetist at No. 4.

In 2016, health care related jobs also top the list of the Best Paying Jobs. With an average salary of $246,320, anesthesiologist is the No. 1 Best Paying Job, followed by surgeon and oral maxillofacial surgeon. While these jobs require advanced degrees, not every highly ranked job involves extensive schooling or work experience.

"Health care support occupations, for which demand is expected to grow as Baby Boomers age, are great opportunities for entry-level job seekers or those making a mid-career change," said Susannah Snider, careers editor at U.S. News. "These positions offer robust job growth and relatively low-stress without requiring an expensive postgraduate degree."

Jobs in the technology sector, one of the fastest growing industries, also remain valuable. Computer systems analyst leads intechnology, followed by software developer at No. 2 and web developer at No. 3. For individuals interested in pursuing science,technology, engineering and math, also known as the STEM fields, U.S. News ranks the Best STEM Jobs.

"An improving economy and increasing employment rate means Americans should have more career options," said Brian Kelly, editor and chief content officer at U.S. News. "Best Jobs allows individuals to search and compare professions to find opportunities that suit their specific career goals and lifestyle needs."

The U.S. News Best Jobs features rankings and information on more than 100 jobs in 12 sectors. New this year, U.S. News added six industry specific rankings: engineering, science, maintenance & repair, education, health care support and sales & marketing.

The methodology for 2016 Best Jobs is comprised by data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify jobs with the greatest hiring demand. Jobs were then scored using seven component measures including 10-year growth volume, 10-year growth percentage, median salary, employment rate, future job prospects, stress level and work-life balance.

2016 U.S. News Best Jobs Rankings

*See the full list of the Best Jobs here.

100 Best Jobs                                                      

1. Orthodontist         

2. Dentist        

3. Computer Systems Analyst      

4. Nurse Anesthetist          

5. Physician Assistant         

Best Paying Jobs                 

1. Anesthesiologist                      

2. Surgeon                                         

3. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon         

4. Obstetrician & Gynecologist      

5. Orthodontist              

Health Care

1. Orthodontist

2. Dentist

3. Nurse Anesthetist

4. Physician Assistant

5. Nurse Practitioner

Health Care Support                                      

1. Occupational Therapy Assistant            

2. Dental Hygienist                             

3. Orthotist & Prosthetist                       

4. Physical Therapist Assistant              

5. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer  

Dentists across the state of Texas won the right to let patients know their practice specialty as a result of a decision by the United States District Court last week.  Judge Sam Sparks ruled that a Texas administrative regulation that restricted specialties in Texas to only those recognized by the American Dental Association was unconstitutional. He enjoined the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners from enforcing Section 108.54 of the Texas Administrative Code.

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), along with three other dental organizations and five individual Texas dentists, filed suit challenging the regulation.  As a result of the decision, dentists who have earned board certification from the Certifying Boards sponsored by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and the other plaintiff organizations may now advertise that they are specialists in the state of Texas.

"This is a great victory for patients throughout the state of Texas.  They now can have more information available to them to help them decide who to use for their dental needs," said Dr. Richard Mercurio, President of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.  "No longer will patients need to guess whether a dentist who is trained in treating gum disease or extracting teeth is also experienced in the complex and comprehensive field of implant placement and restoration.  Patients will now be able to seek out specialists in implant dentistry, such as those certified by AAID's Certifying Board, the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry," he pointed out.

Agreeing with the AAID that advertising a dentist's expertise is protected commercial free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, Judge Sparks noted that "...the public would hardly feel misled if a licensed AAID diplomate advertised as a 'specialist' in implant dentistry and then later discovered the AAID was technically not a 'specialty' under Texas law because it had not achieved specialty status according to the ADA."

He noted that it appears that "...the true purpose [of the Texas Regulation] is to protect the entrenched economic interests of organizations and dentists in ADA-recognized specialty areas."

The Academy of Osseointegration (AO) has launched a new campaign called “CONNECT at #AOSanDiego.” The campaign poses this question to dental team members, residents and students: “Why will YOU connect at #AOSanDiego?”

Share your answer on Facebook or Twitter using #AOSanDiego or email your response to academy@osseo.organd AO will post it for you.

AO’s 31^st Annual Meeting is February 17 to 20, 2016 in San Diego. You can register to attend at https://meetings.osseo.org. FollowAO on Facebookand Twitterto stay up-to-date. There will also be fun opportunities at the meeting for attendees to share on social media how they CONNECT at #AOSanDiego.

Check out some of the responses so far:

 “The AO meeting brings together the best of the best in evidence-based clinical practice, research, and dental society. Everyone is warm and welcoming as we learn together about the most cutting-edge information regarding the ever-changing field of Implantology and Osseointegration. There is learning to be made on any and all levels of clinical expertise, from Predoctoral DDS students to multiple specialty clinicians.”

Jarrod Ross Goldberg, DDS, NYU DDS Class of 2016

 “It is a unique and special opportunity to learn from such cutting-edge presentations by world-renowned speakers, and to be in the presence of individuals leading the world in dental implantology.”

Edwin Eshaghzadeh, 2nd year Dental Student, UCLA School of Dentistry Class of 2018

“It’s the best meeting of the year by far to get current, get informed, and get together with friends and colleagues. The best combination of clinical experts and corporate support each and every year in all of implant dentistry. Simply…the best.”

Stephen Parel, DDS, MS, BS, a dentist in Dallas and recipient of the 8^th Nobel Biocare Brånemark Osseointegration Award

“The AO meeting is a chance to meet practitioners from all over the world and exchange clinical opinions about various topics and learn from their mistakes and successes.”

Loulia Ntinalexi, DDS, ACT Surgical Implant Dentistry, UCLA School of Dentistry

“Attending the 2015 AO meeting not only invigorated my interest in learning about implant placement, bone augmentation, and esthetic dentistry, but also helped me to see the gold standard that I strive to obtain.”

Courtney Kilkuts, a 2014 graduate from The University of Pennsylvania

"I am always excited to attend AO where I know I will experience a slight shift in my understanding of what is optimal regenerative and restorative care in implant dentistry."

Ole Jensen, DDS, an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon and recipient of the 9^th Biocare Brånemark Osseointegration Award